Lahj — Villages in the Qadash area of Karsh District, located in Yemen’s southern Lahj Governorate, came under intense artillery bombardment by Houthi militias over the weekend, triggering panic among residents and raising fresh concerns about civilian safety in frontline communities.

Local sources and eyewitnesses reported that dozens of shells were fired by Houthi forces stationed in nearby mountainous positions, targeting homes, farms, and public infrastructure. The shelling began late Friday and continued intermittently into Saturday morning, forcing families to flee their homes and seek shelter in safer areas.

No casualties have been officially confirmed, but preliminary reports indicate property damage and livestock losses, with humanitarian groups warning of potential displacement if attacks persist.

“This is not the first time Qadash has been targeted,” said a local tribal elder. “But the scale and intensity of this shelling are unprecedented. We fear for our children and our land.”

The Karsh front has witnessed repeated clashes and shelling in recent months, as Houthi forces attempt to regain strategic footholds in southern Yemen. Government troops and southern resistance units have been deployed to reinforce positions and monitor further escalation.

Local authorities in Lahj have called on the United Nations and international partners to intervene and pressure the Houthi group to halt attacks on civilian areas. Emergency response teams are assessing damage and preparing contingency plans for displaced families.

The incident underscores the fragile security situation in Yemen, where ceasefire violations and sporadic violence continue to threaten efforts toward lasting peace.